Piezoresisitive nanomechanical sensor for artificial- (electric-) nose or sniffer applications added to the Special Development list

The Membrane-type Surface Stress Sensor (MSS) is a device to detect specific components in gaseous phase with high sensitivity using a piezoresisitive nanomechanical sensor. This device shows great potential as a core component for artificial- (electric-) nose or sniffer applications utilized in e.g., medical, food, environment, safety and security fields.

MSS works according to the following principle : A receptor layer coated on the silicon membrane of a nanomechanical sensor yields surface stress upon absorption/adsorption of target molecules. Small beams supporting the membrane are, then, mechanically deformed and the integrated piezoresistors on the beams change their resistance. By monitoring the changes in resistance, one can detect the presence of the target molecules. The receptor material determines the sensitivity and the specificity of the device in detecting the target molecules. The nanomechanical sensor simply but efficiently transduces the deformation of the receptor material to an electric signal.

Now NANOSENSORS™ has added the “SD-MSS-1K” – a nanomechanical sensor based on the MSS technology – to its Special Development list (http://www.nanosensors.com/pdf/SpecialDevelopmentsList.pdf). The “SD-MSS-1K” is a “bare” chip and has no receptor coating so that users can deposit a suitable coating for their application. The “SD-MSS-1K” brings new opportunities for R&D on artificial nose or sniffer applications. The price and delivery time are on request.